A method of controlling a battery including a first control circuit and a plurality of modules arranged between first and second terminals. Each module comprises electric cells. The battery further includes a sensor of the current flowing through the first terminal. The method includes the successive steps of: updating a first counter representative of the quantity of charges flowing through the first terminal; for each electric cell, for each connection of the electric cell to the other electric cells, storing into first data the value of the first counter on connection of the electric cell and for each disconnection of the electric cell from the other electric cells, storing a second counter equal to the difference between the value of the first counter on disconnection of the electric cell and the first data of said electric cell.
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2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, for at least one of the connected electric cells and at least one time, successively the storage into the second counter of the difference between the value of the first counter at said time and the first data of said electric cell and the storage into the first data of the value of the first counter at said time.
This invention relates to a method for managing data in a system involving multiple connected electric cells, such as those in a battery or energy storage system. The problem addressed is the need to accurately track and update the state of individual cells over time, particularly in systems where cells may be dynamically connected or disconnected. The method involves using two counters: a first counter that tracks the cumulative state of the system (e.g., total charge or discharge) and a second counter that stores differences between the first counter's value and individual cell data. For at least one connected electric cell and at least one time point, the method updates the second counter by storing the difference between the first counter's value at that time and the cell's stored data. Simultaneously, the cell's stored data is updated with the first counter's value at that time. This ensures that the system maintains accurate records of each cell's state relative to the overall system state, even if cells are added or removed. The approach allows for efficient tracking of individual cell states without requiring continuous monitoring of each cell, reducing computational overhead and improving system reliability. The method is particularly useful in applications where cells are frequently connected or disconnected, such as in modular battery systems or energy storage solutions.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first counter is updated when the battery is in charge mode.
A method for monitoring battery charge status involves tracking the state of a rechargeable battery using a first counter and a second counter. The first counter is incremented when the battery is in charge mode, indicating the battery is receiving power. The second counter is incremented when the battery is in discharge mode, indicating the battery is supplying power. The method compares the values of the two counters to determine the battery's charge state. If the first counter exceeds the second, the battery is considered charged. If the second counter exceeds the first, the battery is considered discharged. The method may also include resetting the counters when the battery reaches a fully charged or fully discharged state. This approach provides a simple, counter-based system for tracking battery charge levels without requiring complex voltage or current measurements. The method is particularly useful in portable electronic devices where accurate charge monitoring is needed to optimize battery life and performance.
5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising, for at least one of the connected electric cells and at least one time, successively the storage into the fourth counter of the difference between the value of the second counter at said time and the second data of said electric cell and the storage into the second data of the value of the third counter at said time.
This invention relates to a method for managing and monitoring the state of electric cells, particularly in systems where multiple cells are connected and their operational parameters need to be tracked over time. The method addresses the challenge of accurately monitoring the state of individual cells within a connected system, ensuring reliable performance and longevity of the cells. The method involves using multiple counters to track different aspects of cell operation. A first counter records the total charge passed through a cell, while a second counter tracks the cumulative charge passed through the cell over a specific time period. A third counter monitors the cell's voltage or another relevant parameter. The method further includes a fourth counter that stores the difference between the value of the second counter at a given time and predefined second data associated with the cell. Additionally, the method updates the second data with the value of the third counter at the same time. This approach allows for precise tracking of cell performance, enabling early detection of anomalies or degradation. By comparing the second counter's value with the stored second data, the system can assess changes in the cell's behavior over time. Updating the second data with the third counter's value ensures that the system maintains an accurate and up-to-date reference for monitoring the cell's state. The method is particularly useful in applications such as battery management systems, where maintaining optimal cell performance is critical.
6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the reception by the first control circuit of a new set point for the delivery of a voltage, of a current, and/or of a number of electric cells to be connected between the first and second terminals.
This invention relates to power management systems, specifically methods for dynamically adjusting electrical parameters in a power delivery system. The problem addressed is the need for precise and adaptive control of voltage, current, and the number of connected electric cells in a power delivery system to optimize performance and efficiency. The method involves a first control circuit that monitors and regulates the delivery of electrical power between a first and second terminal. The system includes a second control circuit that manages the connection and disconnection of electric cells to adjust the power output. The first control circuit receives a new set point, which specifies desired values for voltage, current, and the number of electric cells to be connected. Based on this set point, the first control circuit adjusts the power delivery parameters to meet the specified requirements. The second control circuit then modifies the electrical connections of the cells accordingly to achieve the desired output. This dynamic adjustment ensures that the power delivery system can respond to changing demands, maintaining optimal efficiency and performance. The method is particularly useful in applications where power requirements vary, such as in renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, or industrial power supplies. By allowing real-time adjustments, the system can adapt to different operating conditions without manual intervention.
7. The method according to claim 6, comprising the transmission, by the first control circuit to the second control circuits, of control signals for the connection or the disconnection of at least one of the electric cells of the modules to follow said set point.
This invention relates to a method for managing the connection and disconnection of electric cells within modules of an energy storage system to regulate power output or input according to a predefined set point. The system includes multiple modules, each containing one or more electric cells, and at least two control circuits. The first control circuit monitors the system's operational parameters, such as voltage, current, or temperature, and determines whether adjustments are needed to meet the set point. The second control circuits are responsible for individually controlling the connection or disconnection of electric cells within the modules. The method involves the first control circuit transmitting control signals to the second control circuits, instructing them to connect or disconnect specific electric cells to adjust the system's overall performance. This dynamic adjustment ensures that the energy storage system operates efficiently while maintaining stability and reliability. The invention is particularly useful in applications requiring precise power regulation, such as renewable energy integration, grid stabilization, or electric vehicle charging systems. By selectively activating or deactivating individual cells, the system can optimize energy delivery or storage while minimizing losses and wear on the components.
8. The method according to claim 6, comprising the transmission, by the first control circuit to the second control circuits, of a control signal representative of a number of electric cells to be connected and the determination by at least one of the second control circuits of control signals for the connection or the disconnection of at least one of the electric cells of the module containing said second control circuit.
This invention relates to a distributed control system for managing the connection and disconnection of electric cells in a modular battery or energy storage system. The system addresses the challenge of efficiently controlling individual cells or groups of cells within a larger battery module to optimize performance, safety, and energy management. The system includes a first control circuit and multiple second control circuits, each associated with a respective module containing one or more electric cells. The first control circuit generates a control signal indicating the number of electric cells to be connected or disconnected. This signal is transmitted to the second control circuits, which independently determine the specific control signals needed to connect or disconnect the cells within their respective modules. The second control circuits then execute these control signals to adjust the electrical connections of the cells, ensuring balanced charging, discharging, or thermal management. The distributed architecture allows for localized decision-making, reducing the computational load on a central controller and improving system responsiveness. This approach is particularly useful in large-scale battery systems where centralized control may be inefficient or impractical. The invention enables dynamic reconfiguration of the battery system to adapt to varying operational conditions, such as load demands or state-of-charge imbalances.
9. A battery comprising a first control circuit and a plurality of modules arranged between first and second terminals, each module comprising third and fourth terminals, at least one of the third and fourth terminals of each module being coupled to one of the third and fourth terminals of another module, each module comprising electric cells and switches coupling the cells to one another and to the third and fourth terminals of the module and a second switch control circuit, the battery further comprising at least one data transmission bus coupling the first control circuit to each second control circuit and a sensor of the current flowing through the first terminal, the first control circuit being capable of updating a first counter representative of the quantity of charges flowing through the first terminal based on the sensor measurements and, for each electric cell, for each connection of the electric cell to the other electric cells, the first control circuit or the second control circuit associated with said electric cell being capable of storing into first data the value of the first counter on connection of the electric cell, and, for each disconnection of the electric cell from the other electric cells, being capable of storing into a second counter the difference between the value of the first counter on disconnection of the electric cell and the first data of said electric cell.
A battery system is designed to monitor and manage the state of charge of individual cells within a modular battery structure. The battery includes multiple modules, each containing electric cells and switches that connect the cells to one another and to the module's terminals. The modules are interconnected, with at least one terminal of each module coupled to a terminal of another module. Each module has a second control circuit that manages the switching operations within the module. A first control circuit oversees the entire battery, connected to each second control circuit via a data transmission bus. The system also includes a current sensor at the battery's first terminal to measure the charge flow. The first control circuit maintains a primary counter that tracks the total charge flowing through the battery. For each cell, when it is connected to other cells, the control circuit stores the current counter value as a reference. When the cell is disconnected, the difference between the counter value at disconnection and the stored reference is recorded in a second counter. This allows precise tracking of charge distribution and state of charge for individual cells, enabling efficient battery management and balancing. The modular design and distributed control architecture improve scalability and fault tolerance.
10. The battery according to claim 9, comprising a single sensor of the current flowing through the electric cells.
A battery system includes multiple electric cells connected in series or parallel, where each cell has a voltage sensor to monitor individual cell voltages. The system also includes a control unit that processes these voltage measurements to determine the state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH) of each cell. The control unit adjusts the charging or discharging process based on the monitored voltages to balance the cells and prevent overcharging or over-discharging. Additionally, the battery system incorporates a single current sensor that measures the total current flowing through all the electric cells. This current measurement is used alongside the individual cell voltages to further refine the SOC and SOH calculations, ensuring accurate and reliable battery management. The system may also include a temperature sensor to monitor the battery's operating temperature, allowing the control unit to implement temperature-based adjustments to charging or discharging parameters. The overall design aims to improve battery performance, longevity, and safety by dynamically managing cell conditions and ensuring balanced operation.
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January 3, 2019
December 20, 2022
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